F702 MSci Oceanography with study abroad (4 years)

This oceanography degree programme provides the opportunity for excellent students to spend their third year of study at a top university abroad, most likely in the US.

Introducing your
course

This is the course page for MSci Oceanography with study abroad at the University of Southampton. Find out everything about Oceanography with study abroad and what studying here involves.

In this course page we explain a range of key information about the course. This includes typical entry requirements, modules you can take and how assessment works. We also suggest career opportunities open to you as a University of Southampton graduate of MSci Oceanography with study abroad.

If you still have questions, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to answer any enquiries. See our contact us page for our telephone, email and address information.

Overview

You will follow the usual MSci Oceanography degree programme in your first and second year then go on to study abroad at the overseas university to take an exciting variety of advanced modules during year three. The fourth year will see you back at Southampton, although opportunities for a summer research collaboration with new colleagues may certainly be explored.

To Apply

All undergraduate applications should be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Click on the 'How to Apply' tab on the navigation menu for detailed information on how to apply including deadline dates or click here to go directly through to the UCAS website.

Accreditation

The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST).

Key Facts

Current partners include the University of Washington and Miami University in the United States. Complementary modules with an international dimension

Places on this programme are strictly limited

The National Student Survey 2015

In the NSS 2015 oceanography scored an overall satisfaction of 91%

91% oceanography students agreed or strongly agreed that staff are good at explaining things

94% oceanography students agreed or strongly agreed that the course is intellectually stimulating

“Two of my greatest passions have always been the sea and travel. The Masters of Oceanography program with a year abroad has given me the opportunity to pursue both of these interests while studying at some of the most renowned research institutions in the world.”

Entry Requirements

Typical entry requirements

A Levels:

Qualification

Grade

GCE A-level

A*AA grade A levels or an equivalent standard in other qualifications approved by the University. These should include three sciences from Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Maths, Environmental Studies or Physics.

Other qualifications:

English Language

For details of our English Language entry requirements please see here

Selection process:

Intake:

4-6

Average applications per place:

2

We will consider your MSci Oceanography degree application as soon as possible after it arrives at the University. In selecting applicants, we use the information provided on the UCAS form to determine whether you have the potential to flourish within Ocean and Earth Science.

Candidates who are predicted to attain our standard degree offers will be invited to visit the University and the waterside campus. During this visit, you will meet with one of our academic staff to discuss the offer and explore how your interests and aspirations fit with the course. As a ‘study abroad' applicant, this formal interview must take place before we can make you an offer.

Contextual Offers

The University of Southampton is committed to widening participation and ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data supports our admissions teams to recognise a student’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Students flagged in this way will be given additional consideration and not be rejected solely on the basis of their predicted (or actual) grades.

Modules

Typical course content

Over four years on this degree in oceanography, you will gain an extensive and in-depth knowledge of contemporary oceanographic science, and develop a broad range of sophisticated laboratory and field skills and techniques.

If your programme allows you to choose free electives, you can also take a credit bearing language module. These are split into seven stages, from absolute beginner to near-native speaker level. Please consult with your home department as to any regulations concerning module options.

Our Curriculum Innovation Programme offers our students the chance to take optional modules outside their core disciplines. This allows you to personalise your education, to develop new skills and knowledge for your future.

Year 1

You will take 6 compulsory modules which will enable you to place oceanography in a global context, plus a mathematics module from either SOES1010, MATH1004 or MATH1008 dependent on your mathematical background. You will take one further option module across the two semesters, subject to pre-requisites and timetabling.

Semester One

If you have the International Baccalaureate, Standard Level Maths at grade 6 or higher you may consider selecting MATH1004. If you have Standard Level Maths below grade 6 you should select SOES1010. If you have A-Level qualifications then please click the individual module below for further advice. If you are uncertain then please contact the Programme Leader.

Optional

Year 2

You will continue to acquire knowledge of a broad range of oceanographic topics from multi-disciplinary modules and those focussed on single-subject sciences as well as from the tutorial programme. If you had studied SOES1010 or MATH1004 in year 1, you must take SOES2028 plus one other option. If you had studied MATH1009 & MATH1008 in year 1, then you can choose two options across the two semesters, which may include MATH2015. One of these may be a designated module from Archaeology, Biological Sciences or Physics subject to timetabling and meeting any pre-requisites.

Optional

Year 3

You will spend your third year studying abroad, currently study is undertaken at the University of Washington. For administative purposes, students are enrolled on SOES3044 and SOES3043 which "houses" modules taken at Washington. More detailed information on the specific modules you will be taking will be provided nearer the time.

Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical
student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
More detailed information can be found in the programme handbook (or other appropriate guide or website).

Fees & funding

Tuition fees

Course fees for 2017/18 full-time UK and EU undergraduate students are typically £9,250 per year.
Tuition fees for international students differ between each course. Most part-time courses cost 50% of the full-time fee.

Funding

Scholarships, bursaries or grants may be available to support you through your course.
Funding opportunities available to you are linked to your subject area and/or your country of origin.
These can be from the University of Southampton or other sources.

Costs associated with this course

Students are responsible for meeting the cost of essential textbooks, and of producing such essays, assignments, laboratory reports and dissertations as are required to fulfil the academic requirements for each programme of study.

In addition to this, students registered for this programme typically also have to pay for:

Type

Description

Cost

Printing and copying

Coursework such as essays, projects and dissertations may be submittable online. However, some items will require submission as a printed copy, including some items where it is not possible to submit online
Please remember that we are unable to refund any credit that has not been used by the end of your course, so please consider this when topping up your printing/copy account.
You will be given a printing allowance towards the costs of printing lecture handouts or you may choose to use digital versions only during lectures.
The University Print Centre also offer a printing and copying service as well as a dissertation/binding service. Current printing and copying costs can be found here (http://www.southampton.ac.uk/printcentre/copyrooms/service.page). They also provide a large format printing service, e.g. Academic posters. Current costs can be found here (http://www.southampton.ac.uk/printcentre/exhibition/academicposters.page).

£0.05-0.50

There will also be further costs for the following, not purchasable from the University:

Type

Description

Stationery

Approved Calculators: Candidates may use calculators in the examination room only as specified by the University and as permitted by the rubric of individual examination papers. The University approved models are Casio FX-570 and Casio FX-85GT Plus. These may be purchased from any source and no longer need to carry the University logo.

Stationery

You will be expected to provide your own day-to-day stationery items, e.g. pens, pencils, notebooks, etc. Any specialist stationery items will be specified under the Additional Costs tab of the relevant module profile.

Books

Where a module specifies core texts these should generally be available on the reserve list in the library. However, students may prefer to buy their own copies. These can be purchased from any source.
Some modules suggest reading texts as optional background reading. The library may hold copies of such texts, or alternatively you may wish to purchase your own copies. Although not essential reading, you may benefit from the additional reading materials for the module.

Equipment

Field Equipment and Materials: Please see Appendix 4.

Equipment

Laboratory Equipment and Materials: Laboratory equipment and consumables will be provided where appropriate. (Please also see Appendix 4).

Fieldwork

Logistical costs: Please see Appendix 4.

Clothing

Lab coats and safety spectacles: Marine Biology students will receive a lab coat, dissection kit and waterproof notebook during Induction. If these are lost the student must replace them at their own expense.

Clothing

Field course clothing: You will need to wear suitable clothing when attending field courses, e.g. waterproofs, walking boots. You can purchase these from any source.

Clothing

Wet Suits: You will need to purchase a suitable wet suit and associated snorkelling equipment if participating on SOES6052.

Equipment

Data Storage : Students are expected to provide their own data storage device

Equipment

Software Licenses: Will be provided by the University where appropriate

Equipment

Hardware: It is advisable that students provide their own laptop or personal computer, although shared facilities are available across the University campus.

In some cases you'll be able to choose modules (which may have different costs associated with that module) which will change the overall cost of a programme to you. Please also ensure you read the section on additional costs in the University’s Fees, Charges and Expenses Regulations in the University Calendar available at www.calendar.soton.ac.uk.

Appendix 4: Fieldwork and related University contributions and Costs

This appendix covers all programmes offered in Ocean and Earth Science that include fieldwork.

Fieldwork: introduction

Experience of working in the field is an essential part of your learning process and is also widely regarded as valuable in personal development.

Please note that circumstances may dictate that some field-courses are timetabled within part of the vacation period.

For compulsory residential field courses, accommodation and travel are provided (for Independent Geology Mapping a fixed amount is provided to cover these costs for the least expensive area). You are usually expected to cover the costs of food and drink, although some courses may include meals. For optional field courses, students are asked to make a contribution to the travel and/or accommodation costs. Details are provided in the table below.

Please note that if a field course is compulsory for your degree programme and you later move from that degree programme to one where that field course is optional, you will be charged for the cost of that field course. To provide an example: students on the MSci Marine Biology programme undertaking the field course to Bermuda will be charged the full cost of the field course if they later choose to transfer to the BSc Marine Biology degree programme.

In addition to the field courses mentioned in this booklet, there are also one-day field courses associated with specific modules; students are expected to cover food and drink costs for these days, but transport is arranged and paid for by the department. As the department arranges transport, should students wish to make their own way to or from field courses, then they must meet these costs themselves.

As this is an overseas field course which requires the department to make early flight bookings to minimise costs, students who pre-register for this module will be liable for the full flight costs if they subsequently opt not to take the module.

Precise costs depend on specific arrangements made by students and on individual destinations. The department undertakes to cover the costs for accommodation and travel up to the cost of the least expensive destination, and currently provides £500 per student.

This field trip is optional and open only to MSci Marine Biology and MSci Biology with Marine Biology students. Students are expected to fund their travel and to provide their own snorkelling equipment, including 3mm-thick wetsuit. The total cost is currently expected to be no more than £800-900. The department provides full board, IT and lab facilities and course-related travel whilst on Bermuda.

Notes:

Where a student contribution is made, invoices will be issued approximately 2 weeks prior to the start of a field course and payment will be due within 7 days.

Dates and costs are correct at the time of going to press.

Fieldwork equipment

Geology and Geophysics students

• Geology and Geophysics students will need a minimum amount of field equipment and this is provided by the department. Most will be provided during Induction.

• All Geology and Geophysics students are recommended to purchase the following items: a pair of compasses; set squares; protractor; pencils (including coloured); eraser; University-approved calculator.

• Geology and Geophysics students will also need to provide their own walking boots, waterproof clothing, and a rucksack; some students purchase a ‘Weather writer’ which affords more protection for maps in wet weather.

• Some of the items not included in the induction pack can be purchased from the department/University. Please visit Room 161/05, Level 1, NOCS.

Marine Biology and Oceanography

• Marine Biology students will receive a lab coat, dissection kit and waterproof notebook during Induction.

• Oceanography students will receive a lab coat and waterproof notebook during Induction.

Insurance (travel, medical, personal property and baggage)

Students are automatically insured whilst on University organised field courses undertaken as part of their official studies, including field work.

Career Opportunities

Today the search for meaningful employment is fiercely competitive. Any additional experience in the subject area of your degree, such as a period of study in the USA, can be especially relevant and could help you to stand out when it comes to applying for jobs.

Learning & Assessment

Ocean and Earth Science is strongly committed to providing the very best learning experience to all our students in a friendly and stimulating environment. We are known nationally and internationally for our excellence in teaching, and are continually improving the scope and delivery of our activities

On arrival at the University all MSci Oceanography degree students are assigned a personal tutor from the academic staff, who provides help and encouragement throughout the degree course and beyond, into industrial or academic careers and research opportunities. Each degree programme is a stimulating mix of lectures, practical classes, field work and tutorials, supported by computer-aided learning, and independent study. You will acquire an in-depth understanding of the fundamental principles and modern concepts within your chosen subject, as well as a good personal and transferable skills profile. The fully modular course structure allows you maximum flexibility for specialisation according to your own interests.

As part of the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton (NOCS), Ocean and Earth Science has a strong research-led world reputation. Cutting-edge research carried out by academic staff provides direct and enthusiastic input into a challenging and stimulating teaching programme. There is unique opportunity for students to undertake research projects with other NOCS-division scientists.

Study Locations

NOCS (National Oceanography Centre Southampton)

Ocean and Earth Science is based at the world-renowed National Oceanog...Find out more